42nd Street (1933)

Set during the depression, this is the granddaddy of backstage musicals in which the understudy finally gets a chance to shine. It may seem a little cliché now, but in 1933 this was hot stuff. All that behind-the-scenes atmosphere feels very genuine, and the script is more acerbic than you might expect.

A sickly Julian Marsh (Warner Baxter) puts his all into what may be his last show, only to face a disaster when leading lady Dorothy Brock (Bebe Daniels) sprains her ankle. Thank heavens for ingenue Peggy Sawyer (Ruby Keeler), who steps in at the last minute. The vivacious soundtrack includes "Shuffle off to Buffalo," and the still-catchy title tune. Best of all are those extravagant, kaleidoscopic dance numbers by Busby Berkeley, then in his prime. --Rochelle O'Gorman Amazon.com essential video

excellent

not much to say except that i ordered the product i wanted and it came without any problems and in an expeditious manner. thank you very much. August 30, 2008

The musical that saved Warner Brothers from bankruptcy!

A sick director, financially and emotionally done-in by the stock market crash of 1929 needs to make enough money to finance his retirement. Pretty Lady, a new show to open on Broadway needs a director to make it a hit, and the great drama begins to unfold!

The stakes are high, the competition for parts is fierce and the talent on the stage is amazing. If you think that the tension of American Idol is wild, you need to see this movie! Careers, lives, relationships and fortunes are all riding on the success of Pretty Lady. When the leading lady breaks her leg before the opening, newcomer Ruby Keeler is cast as the lead, right out of the chorus line.

The dialogue is snappy and sometimes surprisingly suggestive for the era. But, the best part is the twenty minutes of musical production numbers. Busby Berkley's choreography is a wonder to behold.

I absolutely love this movie, and never tire of seeing it. February 17, 2008

Ageless

Matchless and incomparable. This is another (or the first) of Busby and Bacon's fabulous creations: there's nothing like them, and there never will be. Terrific funny acid dialogue, fantastic dance numbers, superb pacing --- it just sucks you into its seminal show-biz story and gets you going with the beat, building up to that grand, classic high-spot: sock it to them, baby! There is nothing, absolutely nothing, wrong with Ruby Keeler's casting or performance in this part. She's naive, credulous, sweet, charming and lovable. Dick Powell wasn't exactly Douglas Fairbanks. Both Dick and Ruby were intended to be the boy and girl next door, and they were perfect in those roles. You felt that with a little help, and a bit of practice, you might be up there with them yourself. At the same time, you knew that you couldn't. Ginger was the tops. A stellar comedienne. Every scene is stuffed with humorous, minor side-touches of back-stage horse-play and wise-cracking. Fizz, crackle and sparkle; sardonic, cynical, comical, effervescently cheerful. Watch it every 6 months or so, and it'll never let you down. Pure, unequalled entertainment. November 4, 2007

Seminal Puttin on a show movie worth a look

Approaching old age now, 42nd Street is still worth a look for its black and white photography and sets, not to mention the songs of Harry Warren. The dialogue still has a bit of bite. The main cringe factor is the Afro American maids, porters and shoe shine "boys". October 28, 2007

The naughty, gaudy, bawdy, tawdry 42nd Street--with Busby Berkeley's sensational Depression-lifting numbers!!!

42nd Street remains of the great classic musicals to this day. As Amazon correctly notes, this movie was blazing hot stuff at the time it was released; but the storyline makes this movie great entertainment even in these times. The plot moves along at a good pace and the action holds your attention rather well. I enjoyed it and I can easily tell you why.

The movie begins with a new stage show about to be cast by director Julian Marsh (Warner Baxter) because his bosses Jones and Barry think they can squeeze out another hit show despite the Great Depression putting a damper on everyone's bank accounts. Julian assembles his team of troupers including Bebe Daniels as the huge Broadway star Dorothy Brock; Ruby Keeler playing Peggy Sawyer, the chorus girl who just barely makes it into the show and actor Billy Lawler who is played very ably by Dick Powell. You should also look for Ginger Rogers in an early screen appearance as chorus line girl "Anytime" Annie and Guy Kibbee plays Abner Dillon, the wealthy old man who is funding the show on the condition that Dorothy Brock, his love interest, stars in the show.

Julian begins to run his troupe to death and it seems he never is satisfied with their work; to add some drama to his role Julian is under doctor's orders to abstain from theater work for health reasons. Julian, however, goes ahead and runs the show as the director anyway. Dorothy Brock also begins to encounter trouble as stuffy old man Abner Dillon wants more and more romantic time with her; but what Dorothy truly wants is to spend time with the real love of her life, Pat Denning (George Brent). Ruby tries to hang in during Julian's grueling rehearsals; she almost doesn't make it but she ultimately survives the torture.

Of course, despite the real movie--which consists of the song and dance numbers--you get a fair amount of suspense to hold your attention. Will Dorothy stay true to Abner so that her career can go forward to even new heights? Will Dorothy go back to Pat Denning, her true love, instead? What happens when for unforeseen circumstances develop and Peggy Sawyer must perform the lead in the show--with a mere five hours advance notice? Can Peggy pull that off? Can Julian direct the show without losing his health altogether? Watch the film and find out as you enjoy it--no spoilers here, folks! SMILE

Then there are the song and dance numbers. I loved all of them. The musical arrangements by Harry Warren glisten as true gold ever could. You get a great duet for "I'm Young And Healthy;" and there's the classic "Shuffle Off To Buffalo." Of course we can't forget the show stopping "42nd Street" either. Excellent! The choreography really shines during these musical numbers with great aerial views of the cast on stage and the dancing couldn't be better. Great!

The DVD comes with a few extras; and they also were fascinating to watch. I liked the segment about Harry Warren with him playing piano while his friends sing along; and the featurette entitled A Trip Through A Hollywood Studio fascinates me, too. The Hollywood newsreel is a rare treat!

Overall, fans of musicals from the Great Depression era and the golden age of Hollywood will cherish this classic musical. The actors work so hard; and it shows in their highly convincing acting. People who enjoy the music of Harry Warren will be delighted with this movie; and the Busby Berkeley dance numbers reflect his genius as they always did.

May you get this movie and enjoy it as much as I did! Great job, everyone!!!
May 18, 2007

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